OLDER NEWS

​John with Waterford international athlete Kelly Proper, Minister for Sport Michael Ring, and Mayor of the City, Cllr Jim D’Arcy, at the opening of the all-new RSC track at Kilbarry, which was undertaken thanks to a near-€500,000 Government grant.

Waterford City Council’s application under the Sports Capital Programme was also supported by John Foley, CEO of Athletics Ireland, County Athletics Board PRO Fintan Walsh, and Brid Golden, Secretary and Head Coach of Ferrybank AC.

The state-of-the-art 400m rubber surface was laid by Mondo, the Italian global leader in track & field flooring, who have been responsible for the main running arena at the last 10 Olympic Games as well as the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

Right inset: John and Jim pictured with long-jump and Kelly as they announced their intention to secure funding to upgrade the run-down RSC track in July of 2012, with the aim of attracting top-class events, and providing first-rate facilities for athletes throughout the southeast. Photos: Noel Browne / John Power

Minister given clear picture about stark business realities in Waterford city

﻿“The only reason doors have remained open is that everyone is taking his or her share of the burden. Suppliers are discounting and trying to keep their own ships afloat and staff are taking pay cuts and reduced working hours while working extremely hard and giving great value to their employers. Landlords are taking a hit and most business owners are taking home little or nothing. That, pretty much, sums up the mood in the business community in the city.”

Read the rest of what John had to say in Leinster House on the chronic economic and employment situation in Waterford HERE.